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A compound contains two types of atoms $A$ and $B$. Its crystal structure is a cubic lattice with '$A$' atoms at the corner of the unit cells and '$B$' atoms at the body centres. The simplest formula of the compound will be

This question was previously asked in
WBJEE 2026 Physics and Chemistry Question Paper (24-May-2026)
The correct answer is
$AB$

Calculating Compound Formula from Crystal Structure

This question asks for the simplest chemical formula of a compound based on its cubic crystal structure. We need to determine the number of atoms of type $A$ and type $B$ within one unit cell.

Atom A Contribution

Atoms $A$ are located at the corners of the cubic unit cell.

A cubic unit cell has 8 corners. Each atom at a corner is shared by 8 adjacent unit cells. Therefore, the effective number of atoms $A$ contributed by the corners to a single unit cell is:

Number of $A$ atoms = (Number of corners) $\times$ (Contribution per corner)

Number of $A$ atoms = $8 \times \frac{1}{8} = 1$

Atom B Contribution

Atoms $B$ are located at the body centres of the cubic unit cell.

A cubic unit cell has 1 body centre. The atom at the body centre belongs entirely to that unit cell. Therefore, the effective number of atoms $B$ contributed by the body centre is:

Number of $B$ atoms = (Number of body centres) $\times$ (Contribution per body centre)

Number of $B$ atoms = $1 \times 1 = 1$

Determining Simplest Formula

The ratio of atoms $A$ to atoms $B$ in the unit cell is $1:1$.

Thus, the simplest formula of the compound is $AB$.

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